Norwich City 1 Crystal Palace 1

Johnson equal to Ashton's artistry

Saturday 13 August 2005 23:00 BST

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But another of the Championship's most feared hotshots, Andy Johnson, fired the Eagles back into the game just before half-time after a poor throw out by goalkeeper Robert Green had been intercepted. Two well-matched sides traded chances after that, with a draw a fair result, but Worthington knew only too well his side could easily have gone on to claim victory had they just held on to their lead until the break.

"I thought the goal we scored was a great goal, a good finish and an excellent move up to it," he said. "But the one we let in was very sloppy. It's as straightforward and simple as that. I can understand what Robert was trying to do, getting the ball quickly out to Darren Huckerby, but there was no need to do that. "That's decision-making and players have got to learn to get it right. The higher you go in this game the better decisions you have got to make. You can't coach that, it comes from within. "I've just spoken to the whole team about that, not just Robert. Overall our decision making has got to be a lot better.

"But for a poor 15-minute spell in the first half I thought we could have won the game. We got the goal and did very well early on but for some reason we dropped off Palace and then allowed them back into the game by giving away that sloppy goal." Worthington was full of praise for the levels of entertainment on show and was satisfied with his side's start to the season, even though they have only taken three points from a possible nine from their three games at Carrow Road.

"I said on Thursday that I thought this game would be a belter and it certainly was that. Both teams were very honest and showed a lot of commitment, and there was a lot of quality out there at times along with one or two mistakes. "The game had a bit of everything really. We created a fair few chances but then so did they and I think on the balance of play a draw was probably a fair result.

"Overall I'm pleased with the way we have played so far apart from the second 45 minutes against Coventry. I think we have done well and now we've got to build on it." Palace assistant manager Neil McDonald was pleased to see the visitors finally get their first point on the board after opening the season with two defeats.

"It feels good to get that first point on the board," he said. "I thought it was an excellent game of football between two good sides and 1-1 was a fair enough outcome. "I'm pleased that our performances are gradually improving. This was our best yet, now we have got to build on this and hopefully get our first win of the season against Plymouth next week."